Former world Billiards champion and Padma Shri awardee Michael Ferreira Monday appeared before the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police in connection with his alleged involvement in the Rs 425-crore QNet scam. Ferreira had sought anticipatory bail earlier this month, but the court had directed him to appear before the EOW between January 27 and January 31 and had granted him interim relief during this period. The court is expected to announce its verdict on his application on January 31. According to EOW officials, Ferreira reached their office in afternoon and his preliminary statement was recorded. He was then instructed to come back on Tuesday, when the EOW will start questioning him about his exact involvement with QNet as well as any profits that he might have made from his association with the company. Additional Commissioner of Police (EOW) Rajvardhan Sinha confirmed the development. “Ferreira is likely to deposit his passport with us as per the directions of the court,” he said. Ferreira is alleged to be holding 80 per cent of shares of Vihaan Direct Marketing Selling Ltd, a franchise of Hong Kong-based company QNet, which is alleged to have made Rs 425 crore through binary schemes. The EOW had last month issued a lookout notice against Ferreira, who was in Malaysia then. So far, nine officials of QNet have been arrested.
